The Plain Truth

During this Bible study, Travis and Rick continue to deal with the previous topic of taking the glory from men and giving it to God. Chapter 2 deals more with wisdom, and without God revealing His wisdom to us we would still be fools. Then in closing Paul says something we all need to know about preachers, and servants in the church. 

Rick and Travis hit the gas a little and start moving through the verses, in this chapter and the next couple, in order to bring out the big main point of these first 4 chapters. Tearing down the images and altars to preachers and putting our focus back on the One that deserves ALL the glory. Salvation is of the Lord. There was a lot wrong with this church, but he starts by addressing division first, and really deals with the disease overall. Division was happening, but it was caused by pride, and pride in men. 

In episode 9, We covered divisions that are necessary in the church, and how that true unity is not just going along to get along, but truly agreeing on doctrine, and things of God. Also, how we must humble ourselves to get to a place of true unity. If we want division out of the church, we must again meet and agree on the word of God and let it tell us what the truth is. If we can't, we must side with the Bible, and according to Romans 16:17 that means having to separate from them. 

In this episode, Travis and Rick cover true biblical unity, and how we get there:

1 We speak the same thing by using the same Bible. 

2 We have the same mind and judgement by rightfully dividing the King James Bible. 

3 We meet at the Bible, let it be our first place we go for truth, and our final authority. 

Not only that, but also being saved and having the same Spirit living within us. 

In verses 3-9, the Holy Ghost through the writing of the apostle Paul points out God's grace, and how men receive it: by Jesus Christ. He also let's us know how we get peace, knowledge, utterance, gifts, and confirmation. He says we are enriched by Him because of that grace given us by Jesus Christ. These awesome truths are all written at the same time this church is living so carnal and undeserving of these spiritual blessings. Most men today wouldn't start out a letter, or a message, in this way, to a church that is in this state, but God does. He starts off by pointing out His goodness, His faithfulness, His grace, which according to Romans 2:4 leadeth us to repentance. Praise the Lord for the grace and peace given us by Jesus Christ! He died to pay for our sins, was buried, and rose again three days later to justify all who believe, and has blessed the saved with all spiritual blessings. What a God, what a Saviour, what a salvation. 

In this episode Travis and Rick finish verse 2. Dealing with how God sees us as saints (those that are saved) because of the salvation He has given believers by Jesus, but also reminding us what being a saint means. It is a calling we ought to walk worthy of. 

This episode, Travis is accompanied by Aiden, who is a deacon here at Gilead Baptist Church. They finish the study on that phrase "sanctified in Christ Jesus" by searching the scriptures and seeing the more personal side of sanctification that we must do. Living a holy, sanctified, life is not always easy, sticks out in the world, and is something God expects us to do after we get saved. We have been saved from the bondage of sin, and MADE free through Jesus Christ. Will we fail? Yes, but it is still something God has charged us with. He not only charged us, but has given us grace, mercy, and the Holy Ghost living in those who are saved to help us. We must yield to Him if we expect to do it. He gave us the word of God, also. He gives us an assembly of brothers and sisters to provoke one another unto good works. He also gave us an advocate with the Father (Jesus Christ), for those times we do sin. This part doesn't happen over night as some believe, but happens throughout the believers life. Hence the phrase "becoming more like Jesus." 

In this episode, Travis and Rick start into verse number two, again looking in depth at one phrase: sanctified in Christ Jesus. Mainly the word sanctified. They go back to the first time the word is used, then on through the Bible into the New Testament to draw out the true definition, and make sure what we have heard about this word is correct. They tie it into the phrase used here by Paul speaking to the Corinthians and how they were living their lives at the time. It is an amazing blessing of God to be sanctified in Christ Jesus, and by His blood. This will be the first of many times they will be diving into words, phrases, and doctrines that are sometimes skipped over in reading and in teaching/preaching. This portion looks into the so called "positional" sanctification. Next episode they will look at the "personal" side of it which is a daily process. 

In this episode of The Plain Truth, Travis and Rick finish talking about who the apostles were, what they did, the signs of the apostles, their authority, and more specifically, their counterfeits. With so many today claiming the signs, miracles, new revelations, and even the title "apostle" for some, we want to clear things up by looking into God's Word to see what He says about it. How else can we know the truth? How can we tell truth from error? The Spirit of God within us that are saved, and the Word of God that He has inspired and commanded us to study. 

Episode 2: First Corinthians 1:1 – Called by the Will of God

In this episode of The Plain Truth, Travis Lunsford and Rick Owens begin the verse by verse study of First Corinthians with a close look at verse one. Though brief, this opening verse sets the tone for the entire letter. Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, not by personal ambition or human approval, but “through the will of God.” That single phrase establishes authority, purpose, and accountability.

The discussion centers on what it means to be called by God, the difference between a divine calling and a self appointed role, and why Paul’s apostleship mattered to a divided and questioning church. Travis and Rick also address the importance of recognizing God’s order in leadership and how misunderstanding authority often leads to confusion within the church.

Rooted firmly in the King James Version, this episode shows how even the smallest verse carries deep doctrinal weight. First Corinthians 1:1 reminds believers that God places people where He wills, for His purposes, and that obedience begins with recognizing His call.